The diverse weather conditions over the Bank Holiday weekend proved to be somewhat of a blessing in disguise for organisers of the 38th annual Walsham le Willows open gardens event.

East Anglian Daily Times: The open gardens weekend at Walsham le Willows. Picture: JOHN STEBBINGThe open gardens weekend at Walsham le Willows. Picture: JOHN STEBBING (Image: Archant)

For they are hoping to have raised up to £15,000 as a result of the 30 gardens which were opened up to the public to visit.

While just a few made the trip to the pretty west Suffolk village on the Sunday visitors came out in their hundreds the following day with up to 850 recorded to have attended.

John Stebbing, the secretary of the organising committee, said the first day was a bit of a wash out but was delighted with the second day.

“It was fantastic and probably our best day ever,” he said.

East Anglian Daily Times: The open gardens weekend at Walsham le Willows. Picture: JOHN STEBBINGThe open gardens weekend at Walsham le Willows. Picture: JOHN STEBBING (Image: Archant)

“Those who were here on Sunday enjoyed it and the village came out to support it as well but Monday was just wonderful and we ran out of everything.”

People were charged £7 per person to enter the event and there was entertainment along with food and drink.

Over 250 local people are involved in the event with funds raised going towards village causes and the maintainance of the fabric of St Mary’s the Virgin church.

There was music from the Breckland Brass Band and the Gislingham Silver Band at the Memorial Village Hall along with a Scottish piper with a village market and an arts sale and floral art display in the church and vintage cars on show.

East Anglian Daily Times: The open gardens weekend at Walsham le Willows. Picture: JOHN STEBBINGThe open gardens weekend at Walsham le Willows. Picture: JOHN STEBBING (Image: Archant)